OUR STAFF
At Queen Anne Jewish Preschool, our early childhood program is led by our Director and brought to life through the collaboration and creativity of our exceptional teachers.
Professional, dedicated, and nurturing—these words perfectly describe the team at Queen Anne Jewish Preschool. With years of study and hands-on experience, our staff is committed to understanding the unique needs of every child and delivering innovative, high-quality education.
To maintain the high standards of our program, our teachers participate in ongoing staff meetings and continuous professional development throughout the year. This ensures they stay attuned to the evolving needs of today’s families and remain informed by the latest research in early childhood education.
What truly sets our team apart is their remarkable dedication. Our teachers’ commitment to each child extends far beyond the classroom, and their passion for early childhood education is more than a profession—it’s a calling. Their unique blend of expertise, creativity, warmth, and love creates an environment where children feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow.
Chaya Ezagui-Levitin Director
From a young age, I knew I wanted to work with children. Growing up as the oldest of nine siblings, I naturally took on a nurturing role, which shaped my passion for early childhood education. As the mother of seven children, I have gained firsthand insight into the needs and behaviors of young learners, reinforcing my belief that the early years are the most formative, laying the foundation for future success.
With over a decade of experience in early childhood education, I have dedicated my career to creating warm, engaging, and supportive learning environments for young children. My approach is rooted in the understanding that all behavior is a form of communication, and I strive to recognize and respond to what children feel and need, always valuing their perspectives. Committed to continuous learning, I actively seek out new methods in child development and education to provide the best possible support for each child’s unique journey.
In 2022, I had the incredible opportunity to open Queen Anne Jewish Preschool, a dream come true. My goal was to create a space where every child is loved, cherished, and encouraged to grow emotionally, socially, and academically. It brings me immense joy to provide a nurturing foundation where children can explore, learn, and flourish. How magical it is to see a whole world in the eyes of each child.
Morah Elya
Hello! My name is Elya, and I’m the new preschool teacher this year! I’m originally from Israel and always enjoy any chance to practice my Hebrew. I’ve worked with kids and teens in educational programs for six years; seeing children grow and learn is so exciting and inspiring to me. I love my coffee and curling up with a good book (all recommendations welcome!). Thank you for giving me the pleasure of guiding your child through this year — I know it will be a great one!
Morah Becca
Hi! I am so thrilled to be your child’s Morah this year. :) I can already tell just how intelligent and playful each of them is, and I can’t wait to learn more about them.
I’m originally from Maryland, near Washington, D.C. I moved to Seattle last September, just after my husband and I got married. We moved here so he could pursue his Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Washington. Can you guess which one of us has more fun each day?
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, doing arts and crafts like ceramics, and cooking. One of my greatest passions is child development and babies — when I began working with children, I was ecstatic. I have a background in child psychology as well as family dynamics and behavior.
This will be my second year teaching at QAJP, with many years of experience working with children. I’m looking forward to getting to know you more!
Morah Jill
Hi everyone! My name is Jill, and this is my second year teaching at QAJP. I moved to Seattle three years ago from Michigan with my now-husband (we got married this past summer!) and was thrilled to have the opportunity to continue working in early childcare. When I’m not at work, you can find me either doing yoga, hiking, or dog-sitting. I’m so excited to be back for another year of learning and growing with all of your kids — it’s going to be a great year!
Morah Rocio
My name is Rocio, and I’m looking forward to being your child’s teacher! I am originally from Mexico, but I have been living in Seattle for many, many years. In my free time, I like dancing, camping, and spending time with my family. I have four children — two boys and two girls.
I have been working with children for many, many years, and this will be my third year at Queen Anne Jewish Preschool. I can’t wait to see what’s in store!
Morah Betsy
Music Teacher
With my red ukulele I weave education, Jewish culture and positivity into each of my stories and lessons. Teaching in English and Hebrew with sign language, I also bring two decades of teaching, special education experience and artful musicianship to my classes. Because I love to nurture young growing minds I created a unique program which combines learning a second language while simultaneously using sign language as a visual and experiential teaching tool. I will guide you and your child to sing in Hebrew, shake eggs, dance with scarves, play drums, run through tunnels, interact with puppets, move with a parachute, play games and also learn sign language